Las Vegas boxer Yadira Bustillos made history Saturday night, becoming Red Owl Boxing's first-ever world champion after defeating Maria “La Picante” Sol Baumstarh by unanimous decision to capture the IBF interim world minimumweight championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The victory was particularly sweet for the 26-year-old Bustillos (12-3, 2 KOs), who returned to Argentina seeking redemption after suffering a controversial split-decision loss to Baumstarh (15-8-1, 8 KOs) in the same city just four months earlier.
This time, however, there would be no controversy over the outcome.
“We are so proud of Yadira for returning to Buenos Aires after a questionable decision went against her in the same city just a few months ago, and soundly defeating Maria Sol Baumstarh in Baumstarh’s hometown to become Red Owl Boxing’s first fighter to win a world championship,” said Red Owl Boxing CEO Greg Bloom.
The Oct. 24 rematch was ordered by the IBF following a petition filed by Bustillos' attorney, Tony Palmieri, who argued that his client deserved the victory in their initial June 5 encounter.
In that first meeting, Baumstarh emerged with a split-decision victory after 10 competitive rounds, claiming the interim championship despite objections from Bustillos' camp.
Determined not to leave her fate in the judges' hands again, Bustillos entered the rematch with a more aggressive approach.
Baumstarh, 28, came out firing, much as she had in their first encounter. But unlike their previous meeting, Bustillos matched her opponent's intensity from the opening bell, using quick combinations and effective counterpunching to establish herself early.
The two fighters maintained a relentless pace throughout much of the 10-round contest, exchanging clean punches as neither appeared willing to retreat. But Bustillos' hand speed, footwork and consistent forward pressure ultimately proved decisive, allowing her to gain the upper hand as the fight progressed.
When the final bell sounded, the judges awarded Bustillos a unanimous-decision victory. Miguel Angel Canul Sansores and Antonio Zaragoza each scored the contest 96-94, while Joel Elizondo gave Bustillos a commanding 99-91 advantage.
For Bustillos, the championship represents another significant milestone in a career that has already included multiple opportunities to compete against the world's elite fighters.
In 2025, she challenged Costa Rican star Yokasta Valle for the WBC minimumweight championship, falling short by majority decision.
Rather than allowing that setback or her disputed June loss to derail her ambitions, Bustillos returned to the ring determined to secure her place among the division's best.
Now, with an interim world championship belt around her waist, Bustillos has accomplished something no other Red Owl Boxing fighter had achieved.